Researching Summer Camps and Day Care Programs

The days of carefree summers, letting the kids sleep in and veg out in front of the television are long gone. OK, maybe not completely gone—a little vegging out is probably in order after the grueling school year. But most parents these days want their children to keep their bodies and minds active during the summer. And then there are working parents, who need somewhere for their children to go when school is out.

It’s not too early to start thinking about summer camp—in fact, many programs fill up early, meaning decisions must be made in March or April. But first things first: What kind of camp are we talking about? There are summer camps for weight loss, for sports, for academics and more. There are part-time camps that last only a few hours and sleep-away camps that last for weeks.

Even if you’re just looking for local summer day care while you’re at work, you should ask yourself what your goal is for your child’s summer experience. Are you looking to keep their minds active? Consider a science camp like Science Adventures. Do you want them to work on their soccer skills? The AYSO site lists conditioning classes and camps galore. And don’t think you need to stick to just one kind of camp. Three months is a long time, and many parents devise an elaborate mix of different camps and programs to keep their children busy. For an extensive list of summer camps all over the country, check out Kids Camps.com or My Summer Camps.com.

If you’re looking for a local day camp, most cities’ parks and recreation departments offer reasonably priced summer camps, as does the YMCA. Also check out youth organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire. Your local university, college or junior college may also have summer classes for kids. For example, the University of California’s Irvine campus has an acclaimed writing and science program for kids from kindergarten through high school.

If you think your child is ready for sleep-away camps, this can be a great way to build their self-esteem and confidence. Not relying on Mom and Dad builds their independence and social skills. The Summer Lady lists more than 500 summer sleepaway camps nationwide, from general camps to specialized themes. At The National Camp Organization, you can fill out a form to receive information from sleep-away camps around the country.

Does your child have special needs or disabilities? Check with your your state’s Department of Developmental Services to find camps in your area, or go to Camp Resource.com for a comprehensive list of camps tailored to children with autism, ADHD, epilepsy and more.

Before choosing a camp, Tips on Trips and Camps offers these helpful questions you should ask:

• What is the philosophy of the camp?
• Who are the staff and what is their experience?
• What is the camp’s insurance policy?
• How are problems solved?
• How are the kids grouped?

If at all possible, visit the location in person and have a face-to-face conversation with the facilitators to get all your questions answered — and to get a gut feeling about how your child will fit in. Describe your child’s personality and quirks in detail, and see how the camp organizers respond. Together, you should decide whether this is the right camp for him.

Then talk to your child and prepare him or her for the experience. The American Camps Association offers some tips on this at www.campparents.org/expert/campexperience.php. If you research and prepare, the summer camp experience will be one your child will remember and treasure his whole life.